Utensil for Eating Snacks

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to snack-grabbing utensils that assist a user in picking and eating snack items such as potato chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc. More specifically, the snack-grabbing utensil comprises a tong-like or a scissor-like holding end attached to a grabbing portion such as a grabber/scoop structure, that allows users to hold the utensil and pick a snack item using the grabbing portion by maneuvering the tong or scissor arms. The grabbing portion is generally manufactured of foam, and is replaceable once the grabbing portion becomes greasy and/or dirty. The snack-grabbing utensil enables users to easily eat snacks at their homes, workplaces, etc., without their hands getting soiled and/or greasy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/126,809, which was filed on Dec. 17, 2020and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of utensils. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a snack grabbing utensilcomprising a pair of tongs specially designed to enable users to eatchips and other snacks, such as pretzels or peanuts, while keeping theirhands clean. The snack grabbing utensil may be scissor-like or tong-likeshaped and comprises one end which allows a user to hold the utensil,and a second end which grabs or plucks a chip and/or snack from a bag orbowl. The grabber/clip end of the snack grabbing utensil is manufacturedof foam and is replaceable once the grabber end becomes greasy afteruse. The snack grabbing utensil of the present invention allows users toeasily eat snacks at work without the worry of their hands becomingdirty and/or greasy. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specificreference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects ofthe present invention are also equally applicable to other likeapplications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By way of background, a variety of utensils are available that are usedin food preparation and/or serving food items to others. For example,tongs, flippers and the like are used during or after grilling,barbecuing, baking and/or frying any food items. Some utensils such asspoons, knives and forks are commonly used for eating food once it isserved. However, eating snacks such as potato chips, pretzels, peanuts,etc., requires users to use their hands to access the snack and eat it.

While using their hands to hold and eat snacks such as potato chips,etc., users may not enjoy the residue or grease left behind on theirfingertips. If their hands are not cleaned properly after eating suchsnacks, then grease and other residue can end up on computer keyboards,clothing, paperwork, etc. Thus, users may avoid snacking at places likethe office for fear of soiled and/or greasy hands. Further, to cleantheir hands after eating snacks, users may use napkins to remove theresidue and/or grease that remains on their fingertips after eatingsnacks. However, the use of napkins doesn't properly clean a user'shands efficiently. Thus, users are often required to get up tofrequently wash their hands in a restroom, which is also not aconvenient option.

Existing utensils do not provide a convenient means for handling andeating snack items such as potato chips, pretzels, etc. Further, withutensils such as spoons, forks or knives, users may be unable toproperly grab snack items such as chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc.Additionally, users with soiled and/or greasy hands may not becomfortable in using their hands to eat snacks in the office. Further,eating directly with a user's hands not only leads to transmission ofgerms, but also causes the spread of infectious diseases. Users maydesire to have an alternate means for eating snacks.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a utensil thatcan be conveniently used to handle and eat snacks such as potato chips,pretzels, peanuts, etc. There is also a long felt need in the art for asnack grabbing device that enables users to easily grab snack items suchas potato chips, peanuts, etc., from a snack bag or bowl. Additionally,there is a long felt need in the art for a utensil that assists ingrabbing and eating any snack item, and eliminates the need to use thehands for eating snack items. Moreover, there is a long felt need in theart for a snack grabbing device that helps in grasping snack items froma snack bag, and ensures that any snack residue and/or grease is notleft behind on a user's hands. Further, there is a long felt need in theart for a snack grabbing utensil that eliminates the need for a user towash their hands or use napkins to clean their hands after eatingsnacks. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a snackgrabbing device that prevents the snack residue and/or grease fromgetting onto computer keyboards, clothing, paperwork, etc. There is along felt need in the art for a snack grabbing utensil that provides ahygienic solution to the access and eating of snack items, therebypreventing the transmission of germs and spread of infectious diseases.Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a snack pickingutensil that allows users to eat snacks at work without worry of gettingtheir hands soiled and/or greasy.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodimentthereof, comprises a snack eating device for grasping and eating snackitems to protect a user's hands from becoming soiled and/or greasy. Thesnack eating tong device comprises tong-style arms or scissor-style armswith gripping ends to enable a user to hold the device while eatingsnack items. The snack eating tong device further includes a grabbercomponent or scoop-shaped grabber component for retaining snacks such aspotato chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc. The grabber components aregenerally manufactured of foam material and are replaceable once theyare too greasy to use. The grabber components can be connected to thetong-style or scissor-style arms using a connecting pin mechanism.Different models of the snack eating device can be created by combiningdifferent arm styles with different grabber components.

In this manner, the novel snack eating device/utensil of the presentinvention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and provides arelatively safe, easy and convenient solution for accessing and grabbingsnack items such as potato chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc., from a snackbag or bowl. The snack eating device of the present invention is alsouser-friendly, as it eliminates the need for users to use their handswhen eating snack items, and therefore prevents a user's hands frombecoming soiled and/or greasy. Additionally, the snack grabbing/eatingutensil eliminates the need for a user to frequently clean his or herhands using napkins, and/or going to the restroom to wash hands aftereating snacks. The snack grabbing utensil can be conveniently used atworkplaces, homes, etc., for picking up snack items from a snack bowl orbag, without computer keyboards, clothing, paperwork, etc., gettingdirty.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodimentthereof, comprises a tong device for eating food items. Morespecifically, the tong device is used for grasping and eating snackitems to protect a user's hands from dirt and/or grease. The tong devicecomprises a first tong arm having a first gripping end and a firstterminating end, a second tong arm having a second gripping end and asecond terminating end and a V-shaped grip component joining the firstgripping end and the second gripping end together. Further, the tongdevice comprises a first hole at the first terminating end of the firsttong arm, and a second hole at the second terminating end of the secondtong arm, wherein a first grabber component comprises a scalloped-shapedfoam portion for supporting a snack item, and a second grabber componentcomprising a scalloped-shaped foam portion for supporting a snack item.Then, a first connecting pin is inserted into the first hole to attachto the first tong arm, and a second connecting pin is inserted into thesecond hole to attach to the second tong arm. The first tong arm and thesecond tong arm are then maneuvered towards each other to retain a snackitem between the first grabber component and the second grabbercomponent without damaging the snack item.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first grabbercomponent is in the form of a scoop-type shape and the second grabbercomponent is in the form of a scoop-type shape. The grabber componentsare removably-attached to the tong arms, and are replaceable when wornout or soiled.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a tongs device forgrasping food items from a package is disclosed. The tongs devicecomprises a pair of tong arms, wherein each tong arm has aremovably-attached scalloped edged or scoop-shaped grabber component,and each tong arm is maneuvered toward each other to grasp a food itembetween the grabber components and retain the food item securely,without soiling a user's hands with the grease and/or residue on thefood items.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a scissor-type devicefor grasping and eating food items is disclosed. The scissor-type devicecomprises a first scissor arm having a first finger hole and a firstouter end, a second scissor arm having a second finger hole and a secondouter end and a lock hinging the first scissor arm and the secondscissor arm together. The scissor-type device also comprises a firsthole at the first outer end of the first scissor arm, a second hole atthe second outer end of the second scissor arm, a first grabbercomponent for supporting a snack item and having a first connecting pinto insert into the first hole to attach to the first scissor arm and asecond grabber component for supporting a snack item and having a secondconnecting pin to insert into the second hole to attach to the secondscissor arm. Then, the first scissor arm and the second scissor arm aremaneuvered towards each other using the finger holes to retain a snackitem between the first grabber component and the second grabbercomponent, without damaging the food item.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first grabbercomponent can be in the form of a scoop-type shape or comprise scallopededges, and the second grabber component can be in the form of ascoop-type shape or comprise scalloped edges. The grabber components areremovably-attached to the scissor arms, and are replaceable when wornout and/or greasy or soiled.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and areintended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Otheradvantages and novel features will become apparent from the followingdetailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar referencecharacters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the eatingutensil device of the present invention in the shape of an unassembledpair of tongs in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the eatingutensil device of the present invention in the shape of an assembledpair of tongs in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing the eating utensil deviceof the present invention in use in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the tongshaped eating utensil device of the present invention with a scoopshaped grabber component in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of theeating utensil device of the present invention comprising scissor typearms in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of theeating utensil device of the present invention comprising scissors-typearms and scoop-type grabber components in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the eating utensil device ofthe present invention in use in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view showing the eating utensil deviceused for picking snack items from a snack container in accordance withthe disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovationcan be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments arediscussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are describedonly to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are notintended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limitthe scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment neednot have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in otherembodiments, any of the features described herein from differentembodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a utensilthat can be conveniently used to handle and eat snacks such as potatochips, pretzels, peanuts, etc. There is also a long felt need in the artfor a snack grabbing device that enables users to easily grab snackitems such as potato chips, peanuts, etc., from a snack bag or bowl.Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a utensil thatassists users in grabbing and eating any snack item, and eliminates theneed for users to use their hands while eating snack items. Moreover,there is a long felt need in the art for a snack grabbing device thathelps users in picking snack items from a bag, and ensures that anysnack residue and/or grease is not left behind on their hands. Further,there is a long felt need in the art for a snack grabbing utensil thateliminates the need for a user to wash his or her hands or use napkinsto clean the hands after having snacks. Furthermore, there is a longfelt need in the art for a snack grabbing device that prevents the snackresidue and/or grease from getting onto computer keyboards, clothing,paperwork, etc. There is a long felt need in the art for a snackgrabbing utensil that provides a hygienic solution to accessing andeating snack items, thereby preventing the transmission of germs andspread of infectious diseases. Finally, there is a long felt need in theart for a snack-picking utensil that allows users to eat snacks at workwithout worry of getting their hands dirty.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel tongdevice comprising grabber components for grasping and eating food items.The device includes a pair of tong arms, wherein each tong arm has aremovably-attached scalloped edged or scoop-shaped grabber component,and each tong arm is maneuvered together to grasp a food item betweenthe grabber components and hold the food item securely without soiling auser's hands by the grease and/or residue of the food item.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspectiveview of one embodiment of the eating utensil device of the presentinvention configured in the shape of a disassembled pair of tongs. Theeating utensil device 100 of the present embodiment is configured in theshape of a pair of tongs, and is used for eating food items such aspotato chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc., conveniently, hygienically andwithout acquiring soil and/or grease on a user's hands. Morespecifically, the eating utensil device 100 comprises a pair of tongshaving a first tong arm 102, and a second tong arm 104 joined togethervia a V-shaped grip 106, or any other suitable mechanism known in theart. The first tong arm 102 is sleek and elongated, and has a firstterminating outer end 1020 and a first gripping inner end 1022. Thesecond tong arm 104 also has a second terminating outer end 1040 and asecond gripping inner end 1042. The V-shaped grip 106 is integrated orremovably-secured to the gripping inner ends 1022, 1042, and isconfigured to allow inward movement of the tong arms 102, 104 towardseach other.

The first terminating end 1020 of the first tong arm 102 has a firstreceiving hole 108 to receive a first pin 114 of a first grabbercomponent 112. The first grabber component 112 includes a firstconnecting pin 114 and a first foam portion 1120. The first grabbercomponent 112 is removably-secured to the first tong arm 102 byinserting the first pin 114 into the first receiving hole 108.Similarly, the second terminating end 1040 of the second tong arm 104has a second receiving hole 110 to receive a second pin 118 of a secondgrabber component 116. The second grabber component 116 isremovably-secured to the second tong arm 104 by inserting the second pin118 into the second receiving hole 110. The second grabber component 116includes a second connecting pin 118 and a second foam portion 1160.

The first grabber component 112 comprises a first scalloped-shaped foamportion 1120, and the second grabber component 116 comprises a secondscalloped-shaped foam portion 1160, which are manufactured of a softmaterial such as foam, or any other suitable material as is known in theart. The first foam portion 1120 and the second foam portion 1160 areused for retaining a food item without damaging the food item. Inoperation, a user holds the eating utensil device 100 using the V-shapedgrip 106, and grasps a food item between the first foam portion 1120 andthe second foam portion 1160 by maneuvering the tong arms 102, 104towards each other, thus pivoting or pinching the tong arms 102, 104together, thereby causing the first foam portion 1120 and the secondfoam portion 1160 to surround a food item. The tong arms 102, 104 arelong enough to pick up snacks and other food items from within a largepackage, and are easy to maneuver.

The first grabber component 112 and the second grabber component 116 arereplaceable, and can be detached from the tong arms 102, 104respectively, and replaced with the new grabber components once the foamof the grabber components 112, 116 becomes soiled and/or damaged. Thegrabber components 112, 116 form a central concave housing or space forretaining the food item, and provide a greater surface area allowing thefood item to be easily grasped without damaging the food item betweenthe first grabber component 112 and the second grabber component 116.Thus, a food item can easily be placed between the grabber components112, 116, allowing a user to eat snack foods safely without soilingtheir hands.

The tong arms 102, 104 can be manufactured of lightweight plastics orpolymers, etc., or any other suitable material as is known in the art,allowing easy maneuvering and control while grabbing a food item. In apreferred embodiment, the length of the tong arms is approximatelybetween 4-6 inches. For children, the tong arms can typically besmaller, and have a maximum length of up to approximately 4 inches.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing one embodiment of theeating utensil device of the present invention wherein the pair of tongsare assembled for use. In an assembled state, the first grabbercomponent 112 is removably-secured to the first tong arm 102 using afirst connecting arm 214 of the first grabber component 112. The firstconnecting arm 214 is secured within the first tong arm 102 for a stableconnection of the first grabber component 112 with the first tong arm102. Similarly, the second grabber component 116 is removably-secured tothe second tong arm 104 using a second connecting arm 218 of the secondgrabber component 116. The second connecting arm 218 is secured withinthe second tong arm 102 for a stable connection of the second grabbercomponent 116 with the second tong arm 104. The first and secondconnecting arms 214, 218 respectively act to secure the first and secondgrabber components 112, 116 to the first and the second tong arms 102,104, via any suitable securing means as is known in the art.

Once the scalloped-shaped grabber components 112, 116 are attached tothe first tong arm 102 and the second tong arm 104 respectively, thefirst foam portion 1120 and the second foam portion 1160 are used forgrasping and holding the food items. The foam portions 1120, 1160provide an anti-skidding surface for a stable and secure grip of thefood item.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing the eating utensil devicein use for eating a snack. In use, a user 300 picks up a food item 304between the first grabber component 112 and the second grabber component116, by maneuvering the first tong arm 102 and the second tong arm 104together in a pinching motion while holding the eating utensil device100 via the V-shaped grip 106. The first tong arm 102 and the secondtong arm 104 are maneuvered by holding the eating utensil device 100 bythe grip 106 with a single hand 302, and the foam structure of thegrabber components 112, 116 provides stability to a user, therebyallowing the user to hold the food item 304 without damaging the fooditem 304 and soiling his or her hands 302.

The use of the tong-style eating utensil device 100 eliminates thenecessity of washing a user's 300 hands 302 both before and after eatingsnacks and other food items, as the user's hands 302 never touch thefood item 304. The user 300 can safely and hygienically work on acomputer, read books and do other personal work without soiling his orher hands due to grease and/or powder coating on the snack items.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of thetong-shaped eating utensil device of the present invention. In thepresent embodiment, the tong arms i.e., a first tong arm 102 and asecond tong arm 104, comprise a common V-shaped grip 106 which connectsto the inner end 1022 of the first tong arm 102 and inner end 1042 ofthe second tong arm 104, respectively. The outer ends 1020, 1040 haveholes 108, 110 respectively to receive connecting pins 406, 408.

In the present embodiment, in order for a user to grasp and hold a fooditem, a first scoop-shaped grabber 402 is attached to the first tong arm102 by inserting the first connecting pin 406 into the first hole 108.Similarly, a second scoop-shaped grabber 404 is attached to the secondtong arm 104 by inserting the second connecting pin 408 into the secondhole 110. The scoop-shaped grabbers 402, 404 easily grasp and retain thefood item without a spoon or a fork, even if the food item comprisesgravy.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing another embodiment of theeating utensil device of the present invention comprising scissor-typearms. In the present embodiment, a first shank 502 comprises a firstfinger loop 510, and a second shank 504 comprises a second finger loop508, which are connected at a hinged lock 506. The first outer end 5020of the first shank 502 has a first hole 512 configured for receiving afirst connecting pin 114 of a first grabber component 112. Similarly,the second outer end 5040 of the second shank 504 has a second hole 514for receiving a second connecting pin 118 of a second grabber component116. The shanks 502, 504 pivot laterally along the fixed lock 506allowing the attached grabber components 112, 116 to hold a food item.

Further, the foam portion 1120 of the first grabber component 112 andthe foam portion 1160 of the second grabber component 116 securelyprovide a non-skid surface for the food item. The grabber components112, 116 are removably secured to the shanks 502, 504 respectively, andcan be replaced as per the wants and/or needs of a user.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view showing another embodiment of theeating utensil device of the present invention comprising scissor-typearms with scoop-type grabber components. In the present embodiment, thefirst shank 502 comprises a first finger loop 510 and the second shank504 comprises a second finger loop 508, which are connected at a hingedlock 506. The first outer end 5020 of the first shank 502 has a firsthole 512 configured for receiving a first connecting pin 406 of a firstscoop-type grabber component 402. Similarly, the second shank 504 has asecond hole 514 for receiving a second connecting pin 408 of a secondscoop-type grabber component 404. The shanks 502, 504 pivot laterallyalong the fixed lock 506, thereby allowing the attached scoop grabbercomponents 402, 404 to hold a food item.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view showing the scissor design of theeating utensil device of the present invention in use. In use, a user700 picks up a food item 702 between the first scoop grabber component402 and the second scoop grabber component 404, by maneuvering the firstscissor arm 502 and the second scissor arm 504 together while holdingthe eating utensil device 600 with a user's hand 704. The first scissorarm 502 and the second scissor arm 504 are maneuvered by a user'sfingers inserted in the finger loops 508, 510 with a single hand 704.Further, the foam structure of the scoop grabber components 402, 404provide stability to hold the food item 702 without damaging the fooditem 702 and soiling a user's hand 704.

The use of the scissor-style eating utensil device 500, 600 eliminatesthe washing of a user's hands both before and after eating snacks andother food items, as a user's hands never touch the food item whileeating. The user can safely and hygienically work on a computer, readbooks and do other personal work without soiling his or her hands due tothe grease and/or powder coated on the snacks and other food items.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view showing an embodiment of theeating utensil device used for picking up a snack item from a snackcontainer. The first arm 102 and the second arm 104 of the tong-styleeating utensil device 100 are long enough to provide maneuverability andeasy grasping of snack items 802 from inside a snack or food itemcontainer 800. The grabber components 112, 116 are maneuvered togetherto allow a user to pick up and retain food items 802, while holding theeating utensil device 100 using the grip 106.

It should also be noted that in any embodiment of the device 100, thefirst grabber 112, second grabber 116, first scoop shaped grabber 402,and second scoop shaped grabber 404 are interchangeable with one anothersuch that each grabber 112,116,402,404 can be received by the first tongarm 102 and second tong arm 104 or the first shank 502 and second shank504. As a result, each grabber 112,116,402,404 can be used in anembodiment of the device 100 that has a v-shaped grip 106 or a firstfinger loop 508 and second finger loop 510. Therefore, the device 100 isextremely versatile and accommodating to the preferences of a user.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claimsto refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the artwill appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature orcomponent by different names. This document does not intend todistinguish between components or features that differ in name but notstructure or function. As used herein “eating utensil device”, “tongsdevice”, “tong-style eating utensil device” and “tong-shaped eatingutensil device” are interchangeable and refer to the eating utensildevice 100, 400 of the present invention. Additionally, the terms“scissor-style eating utensil device” and “scissor-shaped eating utensildevice” are interchangeable and refer to the eating utensil device 500,600 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the eating utensil device 100, 400, 500,600 of the present invention can be of any suitable size andconfiguration as is known in the art without affecting the overallconcept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-statedobjectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thesize, configuration, and material of the eating utensil device 100, 400,500, 600 as shown in FIGS. 1-8 is for illustrative purposes only, andthat many other sizes and shapes of the eating utensil device 100, 400,500, 600 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Althoughthe dimensions of the eating utensil device 100, 400, 500, 600 areimportant design parameters for user convenience, the eating utensildevice 100, 400, 500, 600 may be of any shape and size that ensuresoptimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/orpreferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplaryembodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. While the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combinations of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the presentinvention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications,and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with allequivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimedsubject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. An eating utensil device used for handling a fooditem without acquiring a soil or a grease on a user's hands, the eatingutensil device comprising: a pair of tongs comprising a first tong armand a second tong arm; and a V-shaped grip that joins the first tong armand the second tong arm together, wherein a user maneuvers the first andthe second tong arms together to surround the food item to be handled.2. The eating utensil device of claim 1, wherein the first tong armcomprises a first terminating outer end and a first gripping inner end,and further wherein the second tong arm comprises a second terminatingouter end and a second gripping inner end.
 3. The eating utensil deviceof claim 2, wherein the V-shaped grip is removably secured to the firstand the second gripping inner ends to allow inward movement of the firstand the second tong arms towards one another.
 4. The eating utensildevice of claim 2, wherein the V-shaped grip is integrated with thefirst and the second gripping inner ends to allow inward movement of thefirst and the second tong arms towards one another.
 5. The eatingutensil device of claim 2, wherein the first terminating outer end ofthe first tong arm comprises a first receiving hole to receive a firstconnecting pin of a first grabber component.
 6. The eating utensildevice of claim 5, wherein the first grabber component is removablysecured to the first tong arm by inserting the first connecting pin intothe first receiving hole.
 7. The eating utensil device of claim 6,wherein the first grabber component comprises the first connecting pinand a first foam portion.
 8. The eating utensil device of claim 7,wherein the first foam portion comprises a scallop shaped foam portion.9. The eating utensil device of claim 8, wherein the first foam portionis replaceable and can be detached from the first tong arm.
 10. Theeating utensil device of claim 2, wherein the second terminating outerend of the second tong arm comprises a second receiving hole to receivea second connecting pin of a second grabber component.
 11. The eatingutensil device of claim 10, wherein the second grabber component isremovably secured to the second tong arm by inserting the secondconnecting pin into the second receiving hole.
 12. The eating utensildevice of claim 11, wherein the second grabber component comprises thesecond connecting pin and a second foam portion.
 13. The eating utensildevice of claim 12, wherein the second foam portion comprises a scallopshaped foam portion.
 14. The eating utensil device of claim 13, whereinthe second foam portion is replaceable and can be detached from thesecond tong arm.
 15. An eating utensil device used for handling a fooditem without dirtying a user's hands, the eating utensil devicecomprising: a pair of tongs comprising a first tong arm and a secondtong arm; a V-shaped grip which joins the first tong arm and the secondtong arm together; a first grabber component comprising a first foamportion and removably secured to the first terminating outer end of thefirst tong arm; and a second grabber component comprising a second foamportion and removably secured to the second terminating outer end of thesecond tong arm, wherein the V-shaped grip is secured to a firstgripping inner end of the first tong arm and a second gripping inner endof the second tong arm, wherein the first and the second foam portionscomprise a scoop shaped foam portion, and further wherein a usermaneuvers the first and the second scoop shaped foam portions togetherto surround the food item to be handled.
 16. The eating utensil deviceof claim 15, wherein the first grabber component is removably secured tothe first tong arm using a first connecting arm of the first grabbercomponent.
 17. The eating utensil device of claim 16, wherein the firstconnecting arm is secured within the first tong arm for a stableconnection of the first grabber component with the first tong arm. 18.The eating utensil device of claim 15, wherein the second grabbercomponent is removably secured to the second tong arm using a secondconnecting arm of the second grabber component.
 19. The eating utensildevice of claim 18, wherein the second connecting arm is secured withinthe second tong arm for a stable connection of the second grabbercomponent with the second tong arm.
 20. An eating utensil device usedfor handling a food item without dirtying a user's hands, the eatingutensil device comprising: a pair of tongs comprising a first tong armand a first finger loop and a second tong arm and a second finger loop;a hinged lock for securing the first tong arm and the second tong armtogether in a scissor-shaped configuration; a first grabber componentcomprising a first foam portion and removably secured to the firstterminating outer end of the first tong arm; and a second grabbercomponent comprising a second foam portion and removably secured to thesecond terminating outer end of the second tong arm, wherein the firstand the second foam portions comprise a scoop shaped foam portion, andfurther wherein a user maneuvers the first and the second scoop shapedfoam portions together to surround the food item to be handled.